Grace for the Appointed Knight

A Subdued Memory

Chapter 3 - A Subdued Memory

Large pillars divided the architecture of the room. The walls were grandiose and stood tall with high ceilings. A stained glass gave off a calm cyan hue. Most of the tension in the room was alleviated when Dorephan had finally entered the assembly hall. Link stood in the center, unarmed, and clad in royal Hylian blue.

Dorephan grumbled as he sat at his throne.

He took a deep breath in and stared deep into Link's eyes. The assembly consisted of mostly Zora Councilmembers or Hylian beneficiaries.

"It is with great honor that I welcome you to our domain." His eyes wandered back to the knight before him. "We have seen to it that you had been greeted with the honor you deserve."

Link maintained a strong posture in front of Dorephan, but he began to feel the pressure of all of the political powers at work. With a tight stomach, he tried to untense his nerve. His eyes glanced around the room and quickly searched around for Mipha, who was standing at the far-east side of the building in a curtained balcony. Several guards surrounded her but from where he stood, he could just barely see her within in his field of view. For a moment, he was slightly taken back by a wash of old memories, but quickly, he regained his focus and looked back at Dorephan - who was staring directly at him with a powerful leer.

"I do take pleasure in the company that we have received from you today, however, I do demand urgency from the Hylian ambassadors."

Link broke a sweat.

"After many years of peace in this kingdom, we wish not to become entangled in any more hasty affairs. It has become more than apparent to myself and my council that you are here today in hopes of introducing a political agenda unto us once more," Dorephan tightened his glare with a suddenly furious tone. Silence grew inside the room as Dorephan quickly began control the tone of the assembly. "I am always happy to continue to return favors to your kingdom, century after century. I would do it again, but please."

He paused.

"You are carrying my entire heart – my entire soul – along with you to the battlefield." His glare grew narrow. "If anything were to happen to my daughter, there will be no allegiance."

The pressure in the room continued to escalate. Link shifted in place.

Dorephan noticed his lack of competence and became disappointed. The tremendous disrespect that they had committed by showing unannounced was unsettling. The Hylian kingdom had become notorious for barrage-esque political attitudes, where they used their power to wage negotiations that were one-sided.

Though it was all with good intention, Dorephan would not dare risk his daughter's life in haste for a political dispute.

"I accept Mipha's appointed position for Champion, and I accept her use of the Divine Beast Ruta in the event of the Calamity breaking out once more." he said. "But I do it with every ounce of apprehension in me. I hope that it would be perfectly clear to every one in here as to why that is." He stood to his feet and everybody in the room shifted in surprise. "I have nothing more to say, nor hear." The silence became his advantage. "Do not make any mistakes this time, for we will not tolerate it."

Link opened his mouth to speak but the King quickly cut him off.

"Please," Dorephan said. "Be on your way."

He turned away with his eyes leering onto Link. The entire assembly erupted in awe. Standard procedure was blatantly ignored at the hand of survival and none of the councilmembers were allowed a chance to speak. The room began to clamor in disbelief as the Zora Knights tried their best to restore order.